Hey Everyone! Today we take it a bit lighter as we usually do. There won't be any distillery data, specifics. Today you will only get my opinion and a bit of info of each bottle along my tasting notes. You can see the five bottles I picked above. There is something for everyone. Sweet, smoky, 40%, 46%, sherried, bourbon cask matured. In my honest opinion you can't go wrong with either of these bottles for their prices. Let's delve right into it.

Arran 10 year old - Natural Color, Non-chill filtered, 46%

"Our classic Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt encompasses the unique taste of the beautiful island we call home and is one of the best single malt whiskies Scotland has to offer. Don't just take our word for it! Our award-winning whisky has had plenty of recognition throughout the years, even being named one of the 20 defining whiskies of the past 20 years! (Malt Advocate 20th Anniversary Issue 2011)"

"It is without doubt a 'must have' in the collection of all Single Malt Whisky enthusiasts."

Nose: Ah the freshness, citrus, green apple, pears, freshly cut grass, peach and some honey in the background with some vanilla and toffee.

Taste: Extremely complex for a 10 yr, orchard fruits then some oak notes and sweetness from the bourbon casks.

Finish: Medium, sweet and very pleasant aftertaste.

Overall I rated this whisky 90 / 100 and called it an ABSOLUTE BANGER. And yes it is just that. At the 40 euro price point it is very hard to beat. The only thing you have to accept is that this might have batch variatons. One bottle with a bit more sherry portion then the other for example. The taste will differ. But it is what it is. Nevertheless, it's a great bottle and I've never had one that was bad. Get it, stock it, drink it. enjoy it.

Glenmorangie 10 year old - Natural Color (?), Chill filtered, 40%

I've written all the info you need to know about Glenmorangie Distillery in my previous review which you can read here: A few of my favourite 12-year-old whiskies.

My bottled was bottled in 2022.01.13 just for reference.

As strange as it might get I have never yet tasted "The Original" Glenmorangie. Only had the Nectar D'Or, Quinta Ruban the 12-18 year old and the Signet. It was time I got a bottle and tasted it. 34 EUR not bad not terrible. 

"First released more than 175 years ago by our founders, the original Glenmorangie 10 year old was known for its mellow tones and delicacy of flavour.

All these years later, The Original remains at the heart of everything we do. Like home, we carry with us, no matter how far we travel. And every time we return, we discover something new.

To give Original a delicious, go-anywhere finesse, we make it in our giraffe-high stills, then we age it 10 years in bourbon casks to absorb all manner of delectable flavours.

The result is a smooth whisky which welcomes you with a rush of citrus, then holds your attention with layers of luscious flavour, from orange to honey and creamy vanilla, with bursts of peach.

We are constantly embarking on new sensory journeys, yet we always come home to Original."

Nose: Intense sweetness. Vanilla and coconut. Peaches and toffee coming through. Then getting some nice oak notes with fresh fruits and citrus peel. Green apples and nuts. This is a great and full nose for 40% and 10 years.

Taste: Pears, green apples and vanilla. A pinch of black pepper coming. Coconut and some cinnamon. Mouth coating and full. Honey with peaches and malt notes. This is great.

Finish:  I'd say long because the aftertaste lingers around for quite long. Sweet and fruity with a hint of oak and pepper.

I am very happy with the quality of this whisky. Will keep around a bottle for guests and friends who are not so much into whisky. This would be a great introduction for them too. 83 / 100

Springbank 10 year old - Natural Color , Non-chill filtered, 46%

Springbank is one of the most sought after whiskies on the market. The distillery does not produce too much yearly and they sell out quite quickly. The secondary market prices of these bottles are insane. It's very hard to get any Springbank bottles.

"We've been distilling Springbank since 1828. With a character all of its own, thanks to the use of lightly peated barley and a unique two-and-a-half-times distillation process, it is a complex, full bodied maritime dram. Today, our flagship whisky is available in bottlings of 10, 12, 15, 18 and 21-year-olds, with each having slightly different palates and finishes."

"At Springbank we pride ourselves on producing a single malt that is made entirely in-house, employing traditional skills that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Produced since 1828, Springbank Single Malts are lightly peated in our kiln and distilled 2.5 times." 

"Our 10 year old provides the perfect introduction to the Springbank range. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, it is complex yet perfectly balanced from the first sip through to the sweet, salty finish."

46% ABV
60% Bourbon, 40% Sherry

Nose: Freshly squeezed lemon juice, malty notes, orange peel, fresh orchard fruits, a wee bit of honey, salty notes, fresh sea breeze, a tiny bit of spiciness coming through and a breath of smoke. Damn complex for 10 years.

Taste: Creamy, oily, spicy, vanilla, caramel, sea salt, again those orchard fruits, orange peel, pineapple, grapefruit then milk chocolate and coffee.

Finish: Long and pleasant with a hint of sea salt and a bit of smoke.

Overall I think this is an amazing whisky. If you can get your hands on it then do so. If this would be always on the shelves I think this could be in the TOP 3 of whiskies sold worldwide. 90 / 100

Highland Park 10 year old - Natural Color , Chill filtered, 40%

You can read all there is to know about the Highland Park Distillery in my previous review "My favourite 18 year old whiskies" by clicking HERE.

Originally I gave it 83 points because I've had it at a friends place from a tumbler and had no time to normally "analyze" this whisky. But I did remember to pick one up when the time is right and it might be in a promotion. And that day came, quickly picked up a 10 year old and a 12 year old.

Thankfully as all of Edrington Group's Single Malts, this one comes in with natural color. Unfortunately it's bottled at 40% and is chill-filtered. But oh well? If it works this way why not?

"Matured predominantly in European and American sherry seasoned oak casks, our iconic 10 Year Old single malt whisky is spicy and well-rounded, packed with the flavours of sun-kissed Seville oranges and rich fruitcake spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; you'll find molten heather honey in this whisky's waves of heathery peat smoke. Why not try it with a handful of wasabi peas on the side or alongside a sizzling, pan-fried rib-eye steak or with smoked salmon and sour cream."

Nose: Now this is very nice. You get that beautiful Highland Park DNA. Heather honey with citrus zest and a soft aromatic peat smoke. Ripe fruits, apples, pears and a touch of spiciness. A hint of vanilla. Great introduction to what Highland Park is all about.

Taste: Citrus thang, ripe fruits again, apples, pears and some slight raisin note. Heather honey with vanilla and aromatic peat smoke with some coastal elements. This is great.

Finish: Medium at best. Here the 40% holds it back a bit as expected. Says goodbye with vanilla and a touch of peat.

Overall a nice malt from Orkney. Great introduction to Highland Park and a nice daily dram. 85 / 100

Scallywag 10 year old Blended Malt - Natural Color , Non-chill filtered, 46%

This contains malts from Macallan, Mortlach and Glenrothes. Very nice distilleries with lovely flavor profiles and when they pair it with sherry they can do wonders. 

"Scallywag 10 Years Old Small Batch Release joins the classic, core edition as an ongoing offering. This marriage of Speyside Single Malts is matured exclusively in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks for a rich, fruity and dark chocolatey flavour profile." 

Nose: The nose is lovely. It's mildly sweet and inviting. This is the nose that you think of when someone says sherried Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Bursting with oranges and raspberries. Honey with roasted coffee beans and plums. Lots of apricot with vanilla. Toasted oak coming through.

Taste: Very light arrival, some would even say watery. But after 2 seconds the liquid truly arrives. Oak flavors coming through with chocolate cake and blueberries. Raspberry muffins with vanilla sauce. Pancakes filled with apricot jam with maple syrup on top. Great, this matches my expectation after that great nose.

Finish: The finish is a bit shorter than I would like.Plums with hazelnut and honey. Sweet and dry finish.

Overall this is a great showcase of amazing single malts blended together. I recommend it. 86 / 100

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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. To many more. Sláinte.